Political News

U.S. House votes (again) to repeal Obamacare

All four Arkansas member of the U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday (May 17) to repeal Obamacare. It is the 37th time the Republican-controlled body has voted to repeal the broad federal legislation that will vastly change U.S. health care delivery and payment.

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 9:00pm

Whirlpool asked Fort Smith for TCE plan in June 2012

Documents reviewed by The City Wire show Fort Smith city officials knew about Whirlpool's plan to request a groundwater well ban as early as June of last year and that Whirlpool may not have been forthcoming with the city or the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality about its requ

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 4:21pm

8 Arkansas cities in sustainability program

Fayetteville is one of eight Arkansas cities to participate in a sustainability scorecard program.

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 3:20pm

Fort Smith city e-mail has statewide impact

What one Fort Smith city employee did on Tuesday (May 14) could soon be a criminal offense according to Arkansas Ethics Commission Director Graham Sloan.

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 6:17pm

Trucking execs talk about industry struggles

Trucking exec Greg Carman said the industry is tough and uncertain thanks primaritly to inconsistent business trends and costly government regulations.

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:46pm

Sebastian County officials discuss aquatics park work

The Sebastian County Quorum Court picked up right where the Fort Smith Board of Directors left off tonight (May 14), discussing the next steps in the Ben Geren Aquatics Center design and construction.

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 11:20pm

Voters approve Sebastian County tax renewal (Updated)

Sebastian County voters have overwhelmingly approved renewal of the 1% countywide sales tax, with 78.87% voting for the tax to be in place for another 10 years.

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 8:57pm

Board talks new trash term, water park process

Trash is still proving to be a divided issue for the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

At issue during Tuesday's (May 14) noon study session was the possibility of changing city regulations that define what constitutes a residential customer and what constitutes a commercial customer.

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 4:40pm

Speaker Carter: ‘A political kind of guy’

The success of the recently completed regular session of the 89th General Assembly has many wondering what Arkansas House Speaker Davy Carter, R-Cabot, will do next.

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 11:50am

Talk Business: Arkansas’ Top 10 legislators

So who stood out in the 89th General Assembly?

Tue, 05/14/2013 - 11:33am

Regional hospitals prepare for new healthcare laws

As the major implementation of the Affordable Care Act looms in the near future, area hospitals are working to prepare.

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 5:46pm

Politics: Guns, ‘golden’ names and gubernatorial money

Politico Senior Reporter Jonathan Martin says he doesn’t believe U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., will have to take another vote on the controversial Manchin-Toomey gun control legislation.

Mon, 05/13/2013 - 4:52pm

Asa and Brandon

Has Arkansas finally found a candidate for Governor who is camera shy?

Sat, 05/11/2013 - 2:44pm

Colleges, universities begin to set campus gun policies

Despite all of the discussion in the legislature about Act 226, a bill that would allow faculty and staff to carry a concealed firearm on college campuses, NorthWest Arkansas Community College has received a recommendation to its Board of Trustees to exercise the right to ban firearms on campus.

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 6:46am

Daniels reflects on his many years in office

Auditor of State Charlie Daniels (D) announced earlier this week that he would not seek re-election to another term of office in 2014. His eventual retirement will mark nearly three decades of elective office for the long-time Democratic constitutional officer.

Thu, 05/09/2013 - 9:21pm

Susan Inman to run for Arkansas Secretary of State

The candidate announcements continue to trickle in and the first announced candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State has been made by Pulaski County Elections Commission Chair Susan Inman.

Inman, a Democrat, confirmed her intent to run for the office earlier today (May 9).

Thu, 05/09/2013 - 6:02pm

Gov. Beebe names 36 to boards and commissions

Gov. Mike Beebe also announced the following appointments.

David Stewart, Fayetteville, to the Washington County District Court, Fayetteville Department. Appointment expires Dec. 31, 2014. Replaces Rudy Moore.

Thu, 05/09/2013 - 5:47pm

Arkansas tobacco tax revenue down 5.2%

Tax revenue is strong for the state of Arkansas in many of the largest collection areas, including income taxes, where year-to-date revenue is up more than 9%.

But one area where revenue has noticeably fallen is the area of tobacco taxes.

Thu, 05/09/2013 - 5:06pm

Expert: Employers will opt for insurance, not penalties

Greg Hatcher, CEO of The Hatcher Agency, says health insurance reform measures are about to kick in a higher gear for state businesses, but none of his accounts are weighing absorbing penalties over providing coverage.

Wed, 05/08/2013 - 9:06pm

Womack: Internet bill is about tax fairness

Listening to U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, tell it, the issue of Internet taxation is not an issue of raising revenue. Instead, he says it is an issue of fairness.

Wed, 05/08/2013 - 2:53pm